Kochi, April 2 (NationPress) A pointed statement from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) on Thursday has reignited discussions around the alleged systematic failures in safeguarding workplace safety within the Malayalam film industry, coinciding with intensified police investigations into the sexual assault allegations against director Ranjith.

Describing the recent claims made by a young actress as “profoundly troubling,” the WCC emphasized that this incident highlights the inadequacy of existing institutional mechanisms designed to protect individuals in the industry.

Despite orders from the Kerala High Court and the rollout of a new cinema policy, the collective raised questions regarding the inaction of Internal Committees (ICs) tasked with addressing workplace harassment as mandated by the POSH Act.

“What gives perpetrators the confidence to act with such impunity? It stems from a system that is clearly malfunctioning,” the WCC asserted, claiming that entrenched power dynamics within the industry have rendered ICs ineffective.

The organization also expressed alarm that committee members appeared to be “unaware” of a serious incident that allegedly occurred on set, questioning whether the IC had even made an effort to reach out to the survivor.

Furthermore, the collective pointed out the failure to implement essential recommendations, including oversight measures suggested by the Hema Committee.

It criticized the industry for viewing compliance frameworks as a “burden,” warning that neglecting to enforce them properly would only embolden offenders and create unsafe environments for women on film sets.

In parallel, police have escalated their investigation into the case involving the highly regarded director, actor, and screenwriter Ranjith, who is currently in judicial custody following allegations of assault against a young actress on his film set.

He was apprehended on March 31 while reportedly attempting to evade capture after the allegations came to light.

On Thursday, the police investigation team identified the caravan where the alleged assault took place during a film shoot in Fort Kochi in January.

Although no CCTV cameras were operational inside the caravan, efforts are being made to retrieve footage from external sources.

Investigators are also gathering statements from crew members who were present during the shoot.

The complainant, a young actress who has reportedly experienced trauma, approached the City Police Commissioner last week, leading to the formation of a special investigation team under the direction of Aswathi Jijy.

Ranjith was detained following a discreet preliminary investigation.

Police sources have suggested that several individuals on set were aware of the alleged misconduct inside the caravan, and additional witnesses will be interviewed in the days ahead.

The court is scheduled to review both the custody application and the director’s bail request on Saturday.

Reaffirming its support for the survivor, the WCC said her choice to report the incident to the police highlights both her bravery and the shortcomings of institutional protections.

“The industry can no longer claim ignorance or inertia,” it stated, calling for the strict enforcement of ICs and legal protections to guarantee dignity and safety in workplaces.